"That's where he stuck his nails into my head, just like a cat. It did
hurt ever so, but I soon forgot it."

"Let's go home," said the doctor gravely. "It is unfortunate, but of
course Dexter could not submit to be trampled upon by any boy."

"I say, you do believe me, don't you!" said Dexter quickly.

"Yes, my boy. I believe you on your honour."

"On my honour," said Dexter quickly.

"That will do," said the doctor. "It is unfortunate, but unavoidable.
Let us go home to lunch."

"And you will not send me back to the--you know!"

"Certainly not," said the doctor.

"And may I come out here to fish by and by!"

"Certainly," said the doctor. "If you are a good boy."

"No, I think not," said Helen, making a shadow cross the boy's
countenance. "Dexter cannot come out fishing alone; I will come with
him."

Dexter gave her a meaning look, as he understood why she had said that;
and then walked quietly home with the doctor and his daughter to a far
more agreeable meal than he would have enjoyed at the baronet's house.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

A RECORD OF CARES.

"Hang his impudence!" said the doctor. "What do you think he told me?"

"Sir James?"

"Yes, my dear. Told me I was a regular modern Frankenstein, and that I
had made a young monster to worry me to death. Such insolence!
Dexter's growing a very nice lad, and I feel as if I could make a
nobleman of him if I liked, but I think I'll send him to a good school
for a bit. You see, he's full of promise, Helen."

"Yes, papa," said Helen, suppressing her mirth.

"Ah! now you are laughing at me. I mean full of the promise that will
some day mean performance. But--yes, I will send him to a good school."

A good school was selected, and Dexter duly sent down to it, leaving
Helen very unwillingly, but holding up manfully, and the doctor said he
would come back at the holiday-time vastly improved.

In six weeks Dr Grayson received a letter asking him to fetch Dexter
away to save him from being expelled.

The Doctor looked very angry as he went down to Cardley Willows, and the
inquiries took a stern, rather bitter turn.

"Has the boy been a young blackguard?" he said.

"No," said the principal.

"Dishonest?"

"Oh dear no!"

"Well, what is it then--disobedient!"

"Oh dear no! He'll promise anything."

"Humph! yes," said the doctor to himself.

"I'm very sorry, Dr Grayson," continued the principal; "but the boy is
incorrigible, and you